Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has announced three days of national mourning following a tragic military aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed the lives of 32 individuals.
The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it went down near a naval base on Monday morning. A local resident reported that the plane crashed close to a swamp, with clothing and shoes found scattered at the site, and smoke visible in the area.
President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members aboard and has called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
He has also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country to honor those who lost their lives. “This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu stated. “Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed that he was informed about the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, which was en route to Lagos from Benin at 9:13 AM. He noted that attempts to contact the aircraft via radio were unsuccessful before confirmation of the crash near the naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing.
The aircraft, identified as an ATR-42, typically accommodates between 30 and 50 passengers, according to its manufacturers. President Tinubu has instructed the Air Force to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the crash’s cause to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, as authorities will publish their names after notifying their families. The Nigerian Air Force plays a crucial role in the nation’s military operations, addressing security challenges and combating armed groups in various regions.
This accident marks one of the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria in recent years. In May 2021, Nigeria’s army chief, Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, tragically lost his life in a plane crash along with ten other officers in northwestern Kaduna amidst adverse weather conditions. Earlier that same year, seven individuals died when a military plane crashed short of a runway in Abuja.
